Average
#1687 of 2,648 schools in NC
Swain County High School
High School · Swain County Schools
1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bryson City
#2 of 5
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#208 of 579
In district
#2 of 4
Swain County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Swain County High School
Swain County High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Bryson City, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, Swain County High has an enrollment of 559 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated at 1415 Fontana Road, offering a close-knit community feel to its diverse student body.
Swain County High School ranks in the 41st percentile among schools in North Carolina, reflecting an academic score of 4.7 out of 10 and a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. On standardized tests, 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 45% achieve proficiency or better in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.
The rural setting of Swain County High School provides a unique environment that fosters close relationships between teachers and students, creating a supportive atmosphere for learning.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Swain County High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Swain County High School — Students at Swain County High School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.
How Swain County High School Compares
See how Swain County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 54.2% (2025).
Location
1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swain County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jackson Co Early College (rated 6.0/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Sylva), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Smoky Mountain High School (rated 4.2/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Sylva), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 1.6 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 1.9 mi | — |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 3.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 7.6 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 9.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 10.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 10.0 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 15.4 mi | 8.3 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 15.4 mi | 6.2 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 14.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 16.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 18.0 mi | — |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 15.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pi Beta Phi Elementary Gatlinburg | 18.5 mi | 6.5 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 18.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 15.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 15.9 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,368
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$707/mo
Population
8,441
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
46.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swain County High School has a median household income of $56,368. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $707/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bear Grass Charter School Williamston, NC | 5.9 |
| The School for Creative Studies Durham, NC | 5.9 |
| Brunswick County Early College Supply, NC | 6.0 |
| Camden County High Camden, NC | 6.0 |
| Gates County Senior High Gatesville, NC | 5.8 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese, NC | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swain County High School
What grades does Swain County High School serve?
Swain County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Swain County High School?
Swain County High School has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swain County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Swain County High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swain County High School rank in NC?
Swain County High School is ranked #1687 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County High School has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Swain County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swain County High School has 41.8% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swain County High School a charter school?
No, Swain County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swain County High School a Title I school?
No, Swain County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swain County High School?
99.5% of students at Swain County High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,140/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bryson City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 559
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Phone
- (828) 488-2152
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Swain County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,518
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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